I failed to mention in my last two posts that in addition to brewing beer, I started roasting my own coffee as well. I began this weekend using an old popcorn popper and 5 pounds of green (unroasted) coffee.

Similar to what I discovered with making beer, if you enjoy coffee – roasting your own just makes sense. It tastes better than anything you could ever buy, is inexpensive, and saves a ton of money in the long run.

I love coffee just as much as I do beer, so prior to roasting my own I bought whole bean coffee to grind myself. I found this was still cheaper than buying ground coffee and it allowed me to brew what ever style of coffee I desired (espresso, drip, press, etc).

Buying it whole bean cost $10 – 12 per pound and typically last me about a month. By roasting my own I am able to buy different varieties of beans from around the world and have them shipped for still less than $5 / pound.

If stored properly, green coffee can last a long time, so not only can I store it and create my own blends of coffee, I am able to choose how dark or light it is too. With whole bean or preground coffee I had to drink the same thing for at least a month before getting anything else.

Brewing beer is still number one in my book, so I don’t plan on becoming COFFEE dad anytime soon (although the website is available). I just figured my coffee endeavors were worth mentioning since you will probably hear about them again when I make my next batch of coffee beer.

I am sitting here drinking one of my Nut Brown Ale’s from December (which still tastes awesome by the way) and I have come to the conclusion that our baby is going to be spoiled when he arrives.

We are having two baby showers just like how BEER mom had two bridal showers, because our families live on different ends of the state. Last night we were in Overland Park, KS for the baby shower with my side of the family, and now I can’t think of anything else the little guy would ever need. In my opinion the best way to spoil a baby is to let everyone get in on the action.

He is the first grandchild on BEER mom’s side of the family, and among the first on mine. My parents and relatives absolutely love babies so they spoiled us and him with a shower of presents. Here are a few of the things he now has:

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I now have 3 bottles of the first batch of beer ever brewed under the BEER dad name back in my possession. I will probably drink one tonight and plan to put at least one more into a six pack with my espresso stout and an amber ale. There is one more espresso stout roaming around in Wichita, and if I can convince the owner to return it I will make 2 six packs of each of my first 6 brews.

BEER mom and I were in Kansas City last night for one of our baby showers and I handed out some of my amber ale. I didn’t hear any complaints and also received compliments from the people who had some of my nut brown ale. I am trying to convince everyone that drinks to save brown bottles for me so I can clean and reuse them, that way I can continue to give away my beer without the added expense of buying each time.

When you brew your own beer the packaging is always the most expensive part. I took 12 of my amber ale last night and came home with 10 empty bottles (not sure what happened to the others). Then by brother gave me back 2 bottles he had from the nut brown ale and my dad gave me the 3 bottles that still contain some of my first brew.

Thank you to everyone saved the beer in the event that forgot to save some, and everyone planning on hoarding bottles for me.

My amber ale turned out pretty good and I’m looking forward to the 58 bottles I have left. A few people have already said I should make wheat beer for my next batch, and there is a good chance of that happening.

I will also begin roasting my own coffee this weekend so I am hoping to brew more coffee beer sometime soon too.